How Obama's 'Affordable Care Act' impacts Arizona

PHOENIX - Despite the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to uphold most of the "Affordable Care Act", the debate between supporters and opponents continues. The law has an impact on each and every one of us.

"Up until that point, she was fine," Toby Stahl said. She's talking about her daughter who asked not to be named.

Stahl's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. She's had countless doctors visits, blood tests, and medication daily. Stahl says, thankfully, she was insured. "I can't imagine having been without health insurance," she said.

Millions of Americans are without insurance. In Arizona, nearly 1.3 million are uninsured. That's 20-percent. 

Provisions of this law would require insurance companies to cover more preventative care without added costs, and prevent them from denying coverage based on pre-existing illness, which would help in Stahl's case.

Perhaps the most controversial provision is the "individual mandate" which would require everyone to have coverage by 2014 or pay a tax.

"You can be ordered to enter into contract with someone, or to purchase something whether you want to or not. That has fundamentally changed what kind of country we are," Dr. Jeffrey Singer said.

Dr. Singer is an opponent of the law which critics have dubbed "Obamacare." He said it infringes on individual rights. He also said it puts a strain on patient care because more people will have access to fewer doctors.

"Having health insurance does not mean having access to health care. Ask anybody in Canada who has to wait two years for a heart bypass," Dr. Singer said.

Supporters argue that everyone will need health care at one point or another and reform is needed.

"If they're not insured, I'm paying for it when they have to go to the hospital for an emergency. I am, you are," Stahl said.